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Major overhaul to keep Wivenhoe pumping
Queensland’s largest hydro power station will undergo a $14 million overhaul to ensure it continues to pump cleaner, cheaper energy for years to come. Major maintenance works will start at the publicly-owned Wivenhoe Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Station this month, creating 100 jobs under the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Toowoomba Regional Council extends polystyrene recycling to Kleinton, upgrades O’Mara Road equipment
Toowoomba Region residents’ enthusiasm for recycling expanded polystyrene has seen more than 17 tonnes of the packaging material processed at the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility at O’Mara Road since May 2020.
World Zoonoses Day: Prolific mice numbers highlight risk of zoonotic disease
On World Zoonoses Day, Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mark Schipp has highlighted how the risk of zoonoses, diseases which can be transmitted to humans from animals, can be reduced through practising good animal biosecurity and hygiene control procedures. The bacterial disease leptospirosis is an example of a zoonotic disease of worldwide importance. The disease has been reported in over 150 mammalian species around the world, including wildlife, rodents, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, and people.
Sweetman to expand sawmill operations to take advantage of construction boom as only other Hunter Valley sawmill closes
Sweetman Renewables plans to expand its sawmilling operations to meet growing demand as the Australian construction boom plays out and the Hunter Valley's only other sawmill get set to close its doors ... The sawmill operations will support and be associated with other activities, including the acquisition, processing, logistics and transport of biomass for both export to bioenergy plants in Japan, local renewable energy consumption and for the production of syngas, green hydrogen and biochar.
New national parks and reserves for Victoria
Victoria’s central west will have 65,106 hectares of new national parks further protecting the area’s unique environment and giving Victorians and tourists more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. The new national parks will be created by linking existing state forests, parks and reserves. The largest will bring together Lerderderg State Park and much of the existing Wombat State Forest to create a new national park covering more than 44,000 hectares between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh.
New measures to help grow Australia’s civil space sector
Turbocharging growth in Australia’s civil space sector is the aim of two key measures announced today by the Morrison Government that will help to reduce launch costs and open the door to increased collaboration with major US companies. Australia and the US will build on over 60 years of space collaboration by commencing negotiations on a bilateral Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA).
Caloundra main street among Queensland’s best designs
Bulcock Street Caloundra was one of the finest examples of urban design on display at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) 2021 awards this month. Caloundra Main Street Urban Revitalisation project was awarded the Urban Design and Regional Achievement Awards at the 2021 Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards.
What will you refuse and reuse this Plastic Free July?
This Plastic Free July Sunshine Coast residents are encouraged to refuse single-use plastic products and adopt more sustainable behaviours by transitioning to reusable alternatives. Many single-use plastic items can be avoided by making simple changes in our daily habits and choices. Last year, an estimated 326 million people worldwide took part in Plastic Free July. On average, participants reduced their household waste and recycling by almost 5% (or 21kg).
Plastic melting machine making a big impact
Enough polystyrene packaging to fill an Olympic swimming pool has been diverted from landfill on the Fraser Coast in the past year. “The introduction of a machine to melt Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), such as the packaging around a new TV or fridge, has had a huge impact,” Fraser Coast Regional Councillor David Lee said. The process reduces the volume of polystyrene by more than 90%.
Kayak launch opens up Loddon River exploration
Kayakers and those wanting to explore the Loddon River around Kerang will have greater opportunities to do so following the recent installation of a kayak launch within the Kerang Regional Park.
